Ballast towline marker and shoulder cleaner



April 24, 1928.

W. C. HOLCOMB BALLAST TOW LINE MARKER AND SXIOULDER CLEANER Filed May 15, 1927' Patented Apr. 24, 1928.

OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. 'HOLCOMIB, OF CARRIZOZO, NEW MEXICO;

BALLAST TOWLINE MARKER AND SHOULDER. CLEANER.

Application filed May 16, 1927. Serial No. 191,827.

This invention provides a tool which is adapted to be attached to a push car for marking the towline of the ballast and cleanin the shoulder of railroad beds. and which tool is effective in operation, simple in construction and adapted to be readily applied to a push car and easily detached'therefrom to be stowed away when not required for immediate service.

While the drawing illustrates a'preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements the design may be varied and such other changes in the minor details of construction may be re sorted to Within the scope of the invention as claimed, without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and themerits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the drawing hereto attached, in which, v

Figure 1 is a front view of a tool embodying the invention showing it inoperative relation.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the tool, as seen from the side, the parts being on a larger scale,

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the drag and braces connected thereto.

Figure 4 is a front view of the drag;

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The numeral 1 designates the bed of a railroad and 2 represents the shoulder and 3 the towline of the rock ballast. The push car 4 may be of any usual construction and is utilized as supporting and carrying means for the tool and is adapted to be propelled in any ordinary or preferred way.

The tool comprises a bar 5, which is adapted to be secured to the push car 4 in any determinate way. The bar 5 projects beyond a side of the push car and terminates in a standard 6 to the lower end of which is attached a marking blade 7 for indicating the towline of the rock ballast. A brace 8 of the drag connects the lower end of the standard 6 with the bar 5. The brace 8 is forked at 0pposite ends and embraces the parts to which attached. -The bar 5 and standard 6 may constitute parts of a pipe, but it is preferred to form them separately and connectthem by means of an elbow.

A drag 9 is provided for cleaning the shoulder 2 of the railroad bed, and is connected to the standard 6 by means of elements 10 and 11 which partake of the nature of bars or braces. The bar 10 is connected to the lower end of the standard 6, as indicated at 12, and inclines rearwardly and downwardly, the lower rear end being connectedto the inner end of the drag 9. The 5 bar 11 is connected to the bar 10 and inclines outwardly and rearwardly and is connected at its outer rear end to the outer end 9. The bar 11 is'adjustably connected to the bar 10, thereby admitting of adjustment of'the inclinationof the drag 9, as will be readily understood. The ends of the drag 9 are formed with upper notches 13 and lower notches 14, the upper notches 13 receiving the rear ends of the bars 10 and 11 and the lower notches 14 receiving nuts 15 applied to the lower ends of bolts 16 which connect the respective bars to the. drag. When the tool is in position an-end portion of the bar 5rests upon the push car 4 and is secured thereto by means of a chain 17 or in any preferred way. The weight of the parts holds them in operative position, so that the blade 7 marks the towline of the ballast and the drag 9 cleans the shoulder of the road bed. When not required for immediate service the tool may be easily and quickly removed from the push car and laid aside until again required for service.

Having thus described the invention, I claim: ,7

1. A'towline marking tool, and shoulder cleaner comprising a bar adapted to be con nected at one end to a push car and provided.

at its opposite end with astandard, a marker at the lower end of the standard, a drag, a barconnecting the inner end of the drag with said standard, and a second bar conwas standard, a drag, a bar connecting the in ner end of the drag with the said standard, and a second bar connected to the outer end of the drag and having adjustable connection With the bar forming connecting means between the drag and standard.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM G. HOLGOMB 

